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Scorsese's 'Christ' finally hits Mexico

As debate rages worldwide over Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," Mexico is just coming to grips with a Martin Scorsese crucifixion film banned there since its release in 1988.

Heavily Catholic Mexico outlawed director Scorsese's film "The Last Temptation of Christ" for portraying a weak-willed Jesus Christ tempted to have sex with Mary Magdalene.

But freedom of expression has expanded since the election of President Vicente Fox in 2000, and the movie finally debuted in cinemas Friday, one week before the Mexican premiere of Gibson's movie.

The church accepts that times have changed.

"We are against this type of film, but we can't go against the right of those who are interested in seeing it. We have to respect freedom of expression," said Father Jose de Jesus Aguilar, a senior cleric in Mexico City.